4 Lions Infected By COVID-19 Delta Variant In Tamil Nadu Zoo, Finds Genome Sequencing
Genome sequencing of the samples of four COVID-19 infected lions at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, near here has revealed that they belong to Pangolin lineage B.1.617.2 and are Delta variants as per WHO nomenclature, the park said.
On May 11, this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified B.1.617.2 lineage as a variant of concern, and said it showed evidence of higher transmissibility and reduced neutralisation, the zoo's deputy director said.?
Samples of 11 lions sent
The zoo had sent samples of 11 lions housed there to test for SARS CoV-2 four lions on May 24. The zoological park had also sent seven samples on May 29 to the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal.
"The director ICAR-NIHSAD informed that the Genome sequencing of four of the samples was done at NIHSAD, Bhopal. Analysis of the sequences shows that all the 4 sequences belong to Pangolin lineage B.1.617.2 and are Delta variants as per WHO nomenclature," the release stated.?
Subsequently, the Bihar institute said samples of 9 lions had tested positive for coronavirus.
Second tragedy in days
In the same zoo, a male lion named Pathbanathan, aged 12 years died due to coronavirus this week in Tamil Nadu.It was the second tragedy that struck the zoo as it lost a nine-year-old lioness due to coronavirus on June 3.?Authorities there have also tested dozens of elephants for the virus at a forest reserve.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's main zoo on Friday said it was seeking Indian help to treat a lion that tested positive for Covid-19 -- the first animal on the island known to be infected.
Treatment of infected lion on
The Department of National Zoological Gardens said it was consulting vets at the Central Zoo Authority of India to treat 11-year-old Thor, a lion gifted by Seoul's zoo in 2013.
Thor had been experiencing breathing difficulties and refused food, prompting authorities at the Dehiwala Zoo, near the Sri Lankan capital, to test it for coronavirus.
